Bengals players must be aware of the controversy surrounding the NFL replacement referees, but they're not saying much about it.

They received a very simple message about it Wednesday morning from their coach.

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"I told the guys to shut up," said head coach Marvin Lewis. "It's not your business; you don't have an influence on it, (so) you don't need to worry about it. Play football."

Various sources reported that the NFL and the officials' union may be near a deal that would put the regular refs back on the field for Sunday's games.

"We're all hoping to get those guys back, but it is what it is, and we're going to go play football and that's the only goal we have we're looking forward to Jacksonville and what we can do to win," said left tackle Andrew Whitworth.

Quarterback Andy Dalton said the Bengals can't worry about the officials, because they make calls that affect both teams. His coach agreed.

"You don't need to talk about it (and) you don't need to think about it," Lewis said. "You play football and do it how we are coaching you to do it, and that was my message this morning."